3 Newbie Traveler Destinations to Get You Started With Thailand -But be Prepared

Like your first primary school crush, Thailand has its own charm. Somehow unique from its other South East Asian neighbors, maybe even incomparable. I’ve visited it a few times over the last years and none of the trips ever changed my mind. Thailand is one of the first countries I visited when I started traveling in 2013. It has that kind of craziness I grew up with. Crazy, interesting and familiar. But nothing like its culture, brimming through its busy streets. It is bright, shiny, like their elegantly built temples, beaming high and proud, right smack in the middle of the city. You can tell I am in love with this country. In one fell swoop, this girl learned to appreciate this place, its people and let’s not forget about the food! Any newbie traveler is ought to find something new about Thailand.

Without further ado, here’s the starter pack on where to go in Thailand.

1.Bangkok. Definitely, first on the list! In my opinion, probably the most newbie-friendly. You’ll find guides all over the internet. There’s a lot to do in this densely populated, traffic capital city of Thailand, honestly. Even I have not seen everything in this city yet. Find something that suits you.Visit the most popular temples within the city, Wat Arun and Wat Pho, explore the Grand Palace and check some museums. Ride a boat and maybe flex those bargaining muscles in one of their floating markets. Try Damnoen Saduak. Set out on a shopping spree and put your haggling skills to the test. When you finished filling your luggage, fill your stomach next. Get the best Pad Thai ever. Where? On a random street! I swear it is none like you have ever tasted. And make sure to visit where the parties are, Khao San road, maybe? I wrote too much and that is not even half. Looking forward to my return!

2.Phuket. It was quite a memory, that one sunny weekend in Phuket. This place is beautiful and relaxing with an interestingly wild and naughty side. Go for some fun activities by the beach. Lay down and chill at Patong, popular for tourists because right around the corner is Bangla Street. In the morning, it’s just an ordinary shopping lane but at night, it turns to red, if you know what I mean. You’ll find it crowded with wandering tourists, looking to party hard. Bars, side by side. Music, loudly playing. And ladies, on top of your table dancing on their, I want to say.., sexy attire. It’s not for everyone, though. But, there’s a lot more to experience than this and for that you’ll need to see it for yourself! Phuket, during the day, has tons of activities to offer like getting on a tour to Thailand’s famous island, Phi Phi, or rock an ATV and get all hot and adventurous. Next time, we’ll do much more as we tried to relax that particular visit. Picture this, laid down by the beach with mango shake on hand. All afternoon.

3. Krabi. Unexpectedly, the favorite of all three. I visited the place in late 2016 when we found a really cheap plane tickets one boring office afternoon. No one expected the kind of charm it possess until you see it upclose. There is a laid back aura to it. With probably no concrete plan before traveling, we wandered around the not too crowded beach (way less than Phuket), went on random restaurants for their Thai food, and as per routine, get a lovely massage we always try to get overseas. Try to escape Krabi town and find a tour that can bring you to other Thai Islands. Enjoy some drinking nights here for an amazing price, get a beer pong table maybe. And, my final suggestion is to just relax. No pressure. I think that’s the charm of Krabi.